November 19, 2018

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is hiring a Senior Conflict Resolution Officer to be based in Entebbe. This position heads the Regional Ombudsman's Office and supervises three Conflict Resolution Officers and one Administrative Assistant. The position is currently held by Youssoupha Niang.

University of California Riverside Ombuds Andrew Larratt-Smith is hosting a meeting of the Southern California Ombuds Group on Monday, December 3rd. Geared towards members of the Ombuds community and those interested in Ombuds work, the event starts at 8:30 am with breakfast (the program starts at 9 am) and run until about 3 pm. Immediately following, UCR will be hosting a lecture and reception to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ombuds Office.

November 16, 2018

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is hiring a full-time Conflict Resolution Officer for a permanent position. The position will provide Ombuds and other conflict resolution services to UN headquarters staff in New York, but some travel may be required.

On November 21, 2018, the International Institute of Social Studies and the Platform for Humanitarian Knowledge Exchange in the Netherlands will hold a symposium to present their report on the need for an International Ombuds. The presentation will be followed by a debate.

November 15, 2018

According to a report in the Lincoln Journal Star, the state's flagship public university soon will appoint a Faculty Ombudsperson. UNL ended the position years ago because of budget constraints and has only Ombuds programs for staff and students. The decision to reappoint a Faculty Ombuds came from the Faculty Senate, which has pointed out that the university's bylaws require the position.

November 14, 2018

The International Ombudsman Association will offer its signature training program on January 28-30, 2019 at the Hotel Albuquerque. "Foundations" provides the primary training for new Organizational Ombuds.

In his latest blog post, Chris LaHatte delves into the topic of restorative justice and how the practice relates to the work of Organizational Ombuds. Because he works in New Zealand, where Classical Ombudsmen predominate, LaHatte takes time to explain fully the standards for Organizational Ombuds. He concludes that restorative justice is a natural fit for the role.

November 13, 2018

The Office of the Ombuds at the University of California Riverside is celebrating its 50th anniversary. University Ombuds Andrew Larratt-Smith is inviting people to a commemorative party on December 3, 2018. There will be opening remarks by the Provost followed by a brief history of the office as well as where the office fits in currently at UCR. Items of historical importance to the office will also be on display. (UCR Events.)

The nonprofit university consortium in Boulder, Colorado, is looking to add a third person to its Ombuds program. Currently, UCAR has two Ombuds, Jeff Weber and Cindy Bruyere, who also have other staff duties. The organization is hoping for a volunteer from its lab in Mesa to provide geographic balance. The application period closes at the end of the month so that the new Ombuds can be sent for training. (UCAR Announcements.)

November 12, 2018

The International Ombudsman Association is holding its annual election for members of its Board of Directors. The timing is earlier than usual and the out-going management company will complete the election process before a transition. The election will fill three seats from a slate of four nominees for three-year terms starting in April 2019.

Due to popular demand, the Professional Development Program at Osgoode Hall Law School and the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Professional Development at York University will offer a course next spring, February 25 to March 1, 2019. The Essentials for Ombuds is a five-day intensive training collaboration in the heart of Toronto.

November 09, 2018

The public research university at the southern tip of Texas is hiring its first Faculty Ombudsperson. The full-time position will serve about 1,200 academic employees and practice to IOA standards. UTRGV has been considering an Ombuds for faculty and staff since at least 2014.

November 08, 2018

The Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, an international research institute affiliated with the University of Tokyo, has named Mark Vagins as its first Organizational Ombudsman. In a recent announcement to Kavli IPMU members, Institute Director Hitoshi Murayama said that the new Ombuds would help address internal conflicts and concerns:

The public university in Ogden, Utah will select a current, tenured professor to serve as its next Faculty Ombuds. The position serves a three-year term starting July 2019 and will fill a position currently held by History Professor, Kathryn L. MacKay. The new Ombuds will report to Weber's Provost and the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, and practice to IOA standards. (Weber Ombuds Announcement.)

November 06, 2018

In June, Caroline Roy was appointed to a five-year term as the Ombudsman of the University of Montreal. Her mandate is to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all university stakeholders by the university administration, of all situations experienced by each member of the university community. She works with the Advisor to the Ombudsman Monique Laforest, who served as Interim Ombudsman before Roy was appointed.

November 05, 2018

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the public, land-grant, research university in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is seeking applications and nominations for the inaugural director of its University Ombuds Office. The new position will establish a program that follows IOA standards and serves faculty, staff, students, and other university stakeholders. Currently, VT has only a Graduate School Ombuds, Bryan Hanson.

UT Ombudsperson, Ellen Hodnett, reports that her office saw a 10% increase in cases in 2017-18 (a total of 374 compared to 339 in the prior year). The most remarkable change was a 25% increase in the number of graduate students cases. Hodnett made three recommendations regarding which all have been adopted by the university's administration.

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

About Me

I am a University Ombudsperson, Mediator, and Attorney. The material in this blog does not reflect on any matters I have handled or am currently handling. This information should not be construed as legal, medical or psychological advice; readers should consult their own professionals for advice.
(I can be contacted at Tom [dot] Kosakowski [at_sign] gmail [dot] com.)